In view of the third session of the 11th Nagaland Legislative Assembly commencing from March 10, the Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) has urged the Election Commission of India to issue directions to bar Governor’s address to House on the first day of the session, presentation of the budget and tabling of the bills during the coming Assembly session to ensure free and fair elections.
In a letter to the Election Commission of India, NPCC vice president in charge of elections Nillo Rengma, vice president (Admn) Zacilhö Vadeo and general secretary Medokul Sophie and MLAs C Apok Jamir and Joshua Sumi said the Governor’s address to the House on the first day of the session would amount to violation of Model Code of Conduct as it would contain promises, assurances, achievements and commitments of the government.
The Governor’s address may influence the voters to vote in favour of the candidate of the ruling party which amounts to violation of the Election Code of Conduct.
It further stated presentation of the Budget by the Finance Minister, who is the Chief Minister, will also amount to violation of Model Code of Conduct as the budget speech will focus on the schemes, policy and programmes, promises, achievements, commitments of the government etc. This will directly or indirectly influence the voters to vote in favour of the ruling party candidates, the NPCC said. Pointing out that the full budget cannot be presented during the coming session as the Model Code of Conduct is in force, the NPCC urged the Election Commission to direct the state government to present an interim budget seeking votes on account for four months to meet the immediate needs of the government.
It also stated that the government cannot table the bills including superannuation age or cut-off year bill of government employees in violation of the Code of Conduct.